Presidential Partying Starts Early

WASHINGTON — Pop culture, patriotism and politics came together Thursday at the opening ceremony of the inauguration of the 43rd president of the United States -- George W. Bush.

Thousands of people, ignoring temperatures in the 30s and the threat of sleet, poured onto the National Mall and its monuments to some of America's great presidents, including George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The crowd, expected to number up to 200,000, was treated to flyovers by the Air Force's F-16 Falcons as well as Army and Coast Guard helicopters. Jon Secada performed a bilingual rendition of America the Beautiful, and Ricky Martin sang his hit The Cup of Life. The night ended with a gigantic fireworks display that illuminated the monuments and stopped traffic.

Bush and his wife, Laura, as well as Vice President-elect Dick Cheney and his wife, Lynne, were on the stage in front of the Lincoln Memorial for much of the show. Bush even went to the microphone with Martin, raised his hand and did a little shimmy along with the Latin singer. Other performers included The Rockettes, Wayne Newton, and two members of the 1960s group The Fifth Dimension, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr.

Before Martin's song, Bush told the crowd it was "deeply humbling" to know that he would soon hold the same office as Lincoln. But he also said he was prepared.

"I'm honored to serve, and I am ready to start," said Bush, 54.

Thursday's party was Washington's first taste of Bush's style. Unlike President Clinton's inaugurals, this celebration was not dominated by Hollywood. If anything, Bush is more Nashville than Hollywood, as evidenced by one of the first acts to perform Thursday, the country music duo Brooks & Dunn. Cowboy hats and boots and the Texas two-step are sure to be in evidence during this weekend's parties.

"It's cool, the inauguration and everything," said David Rodriguez, 18, a history major at George Washington University. "It was a historical election and it was also my first time voting."

Rodriguez, who voted absentee in New York for Bush, said all he hears about is how the new president won't be able to handle the partisanship of Washington and will serve only one term.

"The guy hasn't even taken office yet," Rodriguez said. "We should give him a chance."

But not everyone was there to support the new president. Many in the crowd who were clearly not old enough to vote carried "I love Ricky" signs in reference to Ricky Martin. One woman admitted she voted for Al Gore but showed up because she heard Van Morrison might be playing. No such luck.

Others came to demonstrate their opposition to Bush. A few carried signs. Many wore bumper stickers that read "Hail to the thief." Even some of the self-proclaimed medics who tend to anti-establishment protesters like the ones who faced tear gas during World Trade Organization meetings in Seattle were there.

"It's fun and I believe in the message and I'm angry about the election," said Michael Eisner, of Baltimore, as he sold "Hail to the thief" bumper stickers. "To me, George W. Bush being president represents everything that's wrong with this country."

As Eisner talked, a man who declined to identify himself filmed his every move. Another man walked by and asked him how it felt to be a loser.

But there were no problems Thursday, probably because of a large security presence that featured Washington police officers on foot, horseback, motorcycles and bicycles. The entire National Mall area was fenced off, with the few entrances guarded by officers who checked everyone's bags. Police also closed off some streets, even the Memorial Bridge by the Lincoln Memorial. The bridge closing worried federal and city employees enough that many were allowed to stay home Thursday to avoid worse-than-usual traffic snarls.

Ronnie and Susan Carter of Louisiana didn't mind the security or the cold, wet weather.

"I've just always wanted to come to an inauguration," said Ronnie Carter. "We both have worked for the federal government for 30 years and never been [to an inauguration]."

The Carters both voted for Bush, but said they would have come even if Gore had won. In fact, they ordered their tickets and booked a hotel room before the Nov. 7 election.

Rafael Lorente can be reached at rlorente@sun-sentinel.com or 202-824-8225 in Washington.